Winners are Grinners!!!!

The under 16 boys had their best carnival ever when they travelled to Port Pirie on the weekend. The boys played as a team and backed each other up defensively and offensively which was great to see. Their first game was against Port Lincoln with Ben Mortimer, Jacob Smith and Lochie Foran doing some great work under the basket to help the boys win along with some great shooting from Michael Baker and Bradley Coulson.
The next game was against Port Pirie. The boys again performed well with a solid performance from Jacob Smith and Bradley Coulson scoring well backed up with some great defensive work from Zac Clarke, Dale Dunn and Ethan Schmitt. The boys had another good win.
Their final game for Saturday was against Yorke Valley. Knowing that percentage was going to be important come finals the boys started the game very aggressively attacking Yorke Valley repeatedly keeping up constant ball pressure with great full court man on man and never allowed York Valley to get their game going. Beating them by 30 points in a great percentage booster. Jack Vigar with 19 points and Steven Robinson top scoring for Whyalla along with solid back up from every team member who never let up for the entire game.
Sunday morning the boy’s had their toughest rival in the heavily state represented undefeated Port Augusta side. After a tough close battle Port Augusta won by 9 points making the boys percentage come into play with Port Pirie to see who would again face Port Augusta in the Grand Final.
After all the results were tallied Whyalla got in by just 10 percent over Port Pirie setting up a rematch with the Port Augusta side .
The Grand final was a great game with the defensive and offensive work by both teams at times outstanding. Whyalla worked extremely hard throughout and their team work and calmness paid off handsomely as they never allowed Port Augusta to settle or get away on the score board with the gap between teams never more than 4 or 5 points at any stage. In the last 3 minutes with Port Augusta leading by 2 the boy’s stepped up and with a great intercept and goal from Jacob Smith who’s sudden attacking move took Port Augusta by surprise. He lifted his entire team who went on a great offensive blitz scoring quick goals and defensive turnovers finishing the game off by scoring 3 quick goals in succession to win by 6 points. The team work and effort of all players was outstanding allowing them for the first time to beat Port Augusta.
A special mention to Michael Baker for winning MVP for the Grand Final, a great consistent effort by the whole team.